Electrical Safety Devices - Notes & Questions

Using 'Key Science Physics (1st Edition) by Jim Breithaupt - pages 304 to 307 1. Read Electricity in the home on pages 304 & 305. 2. Under the heading Electrical Safety copy out the following inserting the missing words. Mains electricity is dangerous because it is supplied at a high voltage, _______ AC in the U.K. It is important that all ______ devices are wired up correctly. Hazards include the following: 1. Frayed _______ which might allow the live connection to touch the _______ case of a device. 2. Long cables which might cause someone to _____ over the wire. 3. Damaged plugs which might expose the _______ connection or cause a fire. 4. Water around sockets which could allow a dangerous flow of electric ___________ to a person. 5. Pushing metal objects into a socket would also allow this to happen to anyone ______ enough to do so! The missing words (not in order): stupid; trip; cables; current; 230V; metal; live; mains 3. Read page Fuses on pages 305 & 306. 4. Under the heading Fuses Answer the following questions in your class note book. You should also write out each question as well. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Where is a fuse always found with a mains device? What is a fuse designed to do? What might happen if a device overheats due to the use of the incorrect fuse? What should you do if a correct fuse continually blows? Explain how to work out the fuse rating of a mains device. In your explanation show why the fuse rating of a device of power 500W is 3A.

5. Read Household circuits on pages 306 & 307. 6. Under the headings The Earth Connection and Circuit Breakers write paragraphs about how these protect people from electrocution. Your explanation to the earth wire should be illustrated by the diagrams (Fig 21.2D) found on page 307. 7. Under the heading Double Insulation copy the following paragraph and diagram into your note book inserting the missing words (non given this time!) Insulators such as plastic and rubber are used to stop people making electrical contact with live electrical ________. Some devices have a ___________ layer of insulation in order to make such an event extremely unlikely. These devices have the symbol below marked on their outside casing.

8. Attempt the following questions fro your text book: page 308 Q1 & Q2; page 367 Q2 & Q3; page 368 Q7